拿
to take; to hold
HSK level
- Pinyin
- ná
- Part of speech
- verb
- Level
- HSK 3
- Strokes
- 10
- Register
- neutral
Stroke order for 拿
拿 is written with 10 strokes. The animation replays automatically.
What does 拿 mean?
拿 (ná) means 'to take, hold, carry, or grab' — anything you do with an object using your hand.
It's one of the most common Chinese verbs, covering English 'take,' 'hold,' 'grab,' 'pick up,' 'bring,' and 'carry' depending on context. 我拿一本书 ('I take/grab a book'), 他拿着杯子 ('he's holding a cup'). The character itself is a picture-logic combination: 合 ('combine') over 手 ('hand') = 'bring together in the hand.'
Common uses include 拿来 ('bring here'), 拿走 ('take away'), 拿出 ('take out'), and the 拿…来说 pattern meaning 'take X for example.' Two contrasts for English speakers: first, Chinese 拿 implies the action is done with the hand, so you don't 拿 a thought or 拿 a class (use 上 for class). Second, for 'take' as in transportation (take a bus), use 坐 or 乘, not 拿.
Memory hook: 合 (join) on top of 手 (hand) — what you do when you join your hand around something is 'take' or 'hold.'
Example sentences
请你拿一下这个。
Qǐng nǐ ná yíxià zhège.
Please hold this for a moment.
polite
他拿着一本书。
Tā ná zhe yì běn shū.
He is holding a book.
neutral
你能帮我把那个杯子拿过来吗？
Nǐ néng bāng wǒ bǎ nàge bēizi ná guòlái ma?
Can you help me bring that cup over?
spoken
我去拿一下我的手机。
Wǒ qù ná yíxià wǒ de shǒujī.
I'll go grab my phone.
spoken
她从包里拿出了一支笔。
Tā cóng bāo lǐ ná chū le yì zhī bǐ.
She took a pen out of her bag.
neutral
Common phrases with 拿
Synonyms
取 means 'to fetch / pick up' — more formal, often used for retrieving things from a place (取钱 'withdraw money,' 取行李 'pick up luggage'). 拿 is the everyday spoken word; 取 sounds more official.
带 means 'to bring along / carry with you' over a distance. 你带伞了吗？('Did you bring an umbrella?'). 拿 is the moment of picking up; 带 is having it with you while moving.
握 means 'to grip firmly' — used for handshakes (握手) or gripping a steering wheel. 拿 is general holding; 握 emphasizes a tight grip.
Don't confuse 拿 with
Frequently asked questions
Acquire it by listening
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